Can I make an adoption plan without telling my parents?

Yes: but CFK encourages transparency. You can reach out privately. Family awareness, involvement and support is encouraged, but Ohio law allows you to make your own adoption decision.

Can I choose the family?

Absolutely. You’ll see family profiles and decide which feels right.

Do I get paid for adoption?

No one is paid for placing a child, but CFK can help cover pregnancy-related expenses like rent, food, and medical care (as allowed by law).

Will I still be able to finish school?

Yes. Many teen birth mothers continue education and pursue goals with CFK’s help.

Can I see my baby after birth?

Yes. You can spend time with your baby at the hospital if you wish and decide on contact later.

What if I change my mind?

You can change your mind until you legally sign adoption consent after receiving full counseling.

Will people find out I placed my baby for adoption?

No. CFK keeps everything confidential. You control who knows.

Teen Pregnancy and Adoption | Support for Young Birth Mothers in Ohio

Finding out you’re pregnant as a teenager can feel overwhelming. You may feel scared, confused, or completely alone especially if you’re not ready to become a parent. Maybe you’re worried about school, your parents’ reaction, or how to afford basic needs.

At Caring for Kids, Inc. (CFK), we want you to know that you still have options, and you still have support. You don’t have to face this alone. Whether you just found out you’re pregnant or are already in your third trimester, you can create a plan that protects your future and gives your baby the care they deserve.

This guide explains what adoption looks like for teen birth mothers, your rights under Ohio law, and how CFK can help you every step of the way with compassion, confidentiality, and respect.

Yes. In Ohio, you have the legal right to make an adoption plan for your baby, even if you are under 18. You can contact an adoption agency directly like CFK and speak with a licensed counselor privately.

Your parents or guardians may be included for emotional support, but they cannot force or block your decision. Adoption is a voluntary legal process, and your consent is what makes it valid.

If you’re under 18, you'll have legal representation to ensure your decision is fully understood and made voluntarily, but the choice remains yours.

Facing pregnancy at a young age brings big emotions and even bigger questions. The good news is that you have multiple options and people who will help you explore them safely.

Your choices include:

Parenting: Raising your child yourself, possibly with family support.
Adoption: Making a legal plan for another family to raise your baby, with options for ongoing contact.
Temporary care: Some families choose kinship or foster care while deciding.

Adoption gives you control over your baby’s future and ensures they grow up in a stable, loving home without cutting you out of their life. You can stay connected through open or semi-open adoption if you wish.

Step	What Happens	Your Rights
Contact CFK	Reach out confidentially by text, phone, or online.	No cost or obligation just information.
Meet with a Counselor	Learn about adoption options and emotional support.	Everything stays private and judgment-free.
Create an Adoption Plan	Choose the family, decide on openness, and outline your wishes.	You’re in full control of every choice.
Delivery & Placement	CFK helps with hospital coordination and emotional support.	You decide who is present and how placement happens.
Post-Adoption Care	Ongoing counseling, updates, and support at no cost.	You’ll have lifelong access to CFK resources.

Ohio law allows teens to make an adoption plan confidentially. That means:

All conversations with CFK are private.
You can receive free counseling and legal help.
You may qualify for living and pregnancy related financial assistance.
You can choose between open, semi-open, or closed adoption.

Open adoption allows you to stay in touch through visits or updates. Semi open adoption includes updates through CFK. Closed adoption protects your privacy completely.

You decide what feels right for you and your baby.

Being pregnant while in school is challenging, but you have rights under federal law. Schools cannot discriminate against you for being pregnant, and you are allowed to continue your education.

CFK’s counselors can:

Help you plan around school and medical appointments
Connect you to housing, food, and maternity care
Offer emotional support and educational guidance

If you want to continue school or plan for college, adoption can be a way to provide stability for your baby while you focus on your future.

Many teen birth mothers choose open or semi-open adoption because it allows them to:

Stay updated through photos, letters, or visits
Watch their child grow up in a loving home
Build a healthy connection with the adoptive family

Open adoption plans are flexible and created for each unique situation. You and the chosen adoptive family work together to determine what contact looks like after placement. CFK assists to support this ongoing relationship. Some birth mothers prefer updates only, while others enjoy occasional visits or virtual communication.

There’s no “right” level of openness only what feels emotionally safe for you.

Can I make an adoption plan without telling my parents?
Yes: but CFK encourages transparency. You can reach out privately. Family awareness, involvement and support is encouraged, but Ohio law allows you to make your own adoption decision.
Can I choose the family?
Absolutely. You’ll see family profiles and decide which feels right.
Do I get paid for adoption?
No one is paid for placing a child, but CFK can help cover pregnancy-related expenses like rent, food, and medical care (as allowed by law).
Will I still be able to finish school?
Yes. Many teen birth mothers continue education and pursue goals with CFK’s help.
Can I see my baby after birth?
Yes. You can spend time with your baby at the hospital if you wish and decide on contact later.
What if I change my mind?
You can change your mind until you legally sign adoption consent after receiving full counseling.
Will people find out I placed my baby for adoption?
No. CFK keeps everything confidential. You control who knows.

Option	Who Makes Decisions?	Support Available?	Ongoing Contact?
Parenting	You and your family	Financial and community programs	Ongoing
Adoption (Open)	You choose everything	Full CFK support	Yes
Adoption (Closed)	You	Full CFK support	No
Safe Haven	You	Limited (no ongoing care)	No

If you’re a teen facing an unexpected pregnancy, you don’t have to decide today but you don’t have to go through it alone either.

CFK will help you explore every option safely and confidentially. Whether you want to learn more about adoption or just need someone to talk to, we’re here 24/7.

CFK offers:

Judgment-free counseling for pregnant teens
Help with medical and living expenses (as permitted by law)
Guidance for open or closed adoption
Emotional and educational support before and after birth

You deserve support, not shame and your courage deserves compassion.

Call or text us at (330) 294-9811 or reach out privately at options@cfkadopt.org. At Caring for Kids, Inc., we walk beside every expectant parent, every step of the way.